A FUSION BEAD TESTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF TESTING A FUSION BEAD

摘要

A fusion bead testing device (13) is provided for testing the strength of afusion bead (11) removed from a pipe joint(6). The testing device (13) comprises a first pressing means (19) forexerting a force against the fusion bead (11). If the fusion bead(11) splits as a result of the applied force then the fusion bead (11) fails aquality control test and the fusion bead (11) andconsequently the pipe joint (6) from which the bead (11) was removed aredeemed too weak. The fusion bead-testing apparatus (13)comprises an automatic split detection device (27, 127) for detecting a splitin the bead (11).